Brazilian prosecutors seek to fine Usiminas $25.9 mln, paper reports

SAO PAULO, July 17 (Reuters) - Brazilian prosecutors are seeking a 100 million reais ($25.91 million) fine from steelmaker Usinas Siderúrgicas de Minas Gerais SA for allegedly interfering in the nomination of a board member representing its workers, newspaper Valor Econômico reported on Tuesday.

In a civil lawsuit, prosecutors also sought a 5 million reais fine from the board member, Luiz Carlos de Miranda Faria, for allegedly not looking after the workers’ best interests and favoring Usiminas, as the steelmaker is known. Valor cited court documents.

Usiminas did not immediately comment on the matter. After a local newspaper reported on the civil lawsuit, Usiminas said in a securities filing on Monday that Miranda’s election was in accordance with Brazilian legislation. Reuters was unable to locate Miranda. ($1 = 3.8592 reais) (Reporting by Carolina Mandl; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe )